Te Kohe Tuhaka

The actor is excited to be performing in the Pop-Up Globe Theatre Company’s productions of Othello (as Othello) and Much Ado About Nothing (Don John) for the first time.

With the stage surrounded by seats and the audience just 15m from the action, how does performing in the Globe theatre differ from other venues? The greatest difference is the scale of play. I have to perform everything from voice to physicality 100 times bigger than I’m used to, and with that comes the challenge of being specific with all that has to be said and done on the Globe stage.

What do you eat on show days? A light meal beforehand and something more substantial after. How would you describe your lifestyle? I’m quite active. I’m a trainer at Ludus Magnus [gladiatorial training gym] and paddle for Pineula outrigger club, so training is a lifestyle for me.

Is healthy eating a priority? Eating is a priority and health is, too, but I don’t tend to focus on the health aspect. I do like to eat things that most people would consider healthy, though.

Do you get personalised nutrition advice? All the time. I’m married to one of New Zealand’s top 100m sprinters [Larissa Dyke]. My wife is amazing at supporting my food habits.

Do you have a special diet? I’m a big foodie. I instinctively know what’s good for my body and what’s not, but if I crave it I’ll eat it. I’d rather satisfy my mind than deprive myself and go crazy.

What is your typical breakfast? Primal [buttered] coffee and chia pudding with fruit.

What do you eat for lunch? Homemade salads and some source of protein – it changes every day.

What is your favourite evening meal? My wife’s chicken and eggplant green curry. What is your idea of food hell? Food that is not actually food but just a whole lot of numbers and chemicals – processed rubbish.

What nutrition advice do you follow? The 80/20 split – it’s about what we do most of the time that counts. But nobody is perfect.

Pop-Up Globe Theatre Company’s Othello runs to May 13 and Much Ado About Nothing to May

12 at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland.